The Ojai Chronicles (Day 1 of 3)by Cousin Kim
"Your first responsibility to all beings on our planet is to take the very best care of your very own self." -Robyn L.
I'd warned Jana that the meals were designed to be healthy---salt and refined sugar free. Luckily, she enjoyed the food and was surprised at how tasty it was. I listened intently as Jana described her challenges as a mother, student, and full time employee to others at our table. I got to know her better through the eyes of strangers and I admired who she has grown to become as a woman.
After lunch, I wanted to play big sister and show Cousin Jana around one of my favorite towns. We browsed shops at the Arcade, Ojai's much superior version of a strip mall.
Then we walked two blocks up to Soul Centered, a metaphysical book shop which I visit every time I return to Ojai. Although the woman I usually visit with had retired, I was able to meet the owner and introduce Jana to Marilyn, the resident healer. While I experienced a healing session with Marilyn, Jana picked out clever bookmarks with sage advice that resonated with her.
Clever bookmarks -- eighty cents each. Sage advice -- priceless.
That night after dinner, we headed our separate ways to enjoy individual pursuits. Jana opted to attend an evening program on health and nutrition, while I consulted the local newspaper to find out what time the sun set would be. Armed with this information, I drove up to Meditation Mountain to watch Ojai's famous pink moment. When the sun sets over the Topa Topa Mountains in Ojai, a beautiful pink glow appears in the space between the sun and the mountains.
As I walked down to the view point at Meditation Mountain, I noted that there was a quarter moon hanging in the southern part of the sky as the sun created the pink moment in the west. In my mind I greeted a large rock and asked if I could be seated. Twenty two miles away in Ventura County, there was a fire raging that added a light blanket of smoke that clung to the pink glow.
I heard loud birds squawking and searched the sky to see where they flew. Suddenly, I spotted them flying in the middle of the sky rather than at the higher altitude into which I'd been gazing. As the sun kissed the mountains, I heard a rooster crow in the distance and a lone dog barking as if they were saying goodbye to the sun.
A couple whispered behind me as they approached the viewpoint, displaying a certain reverence that is only inspired by the most beautiful of sights. They spread a blanket and sat down to meditate as a truck roared below us, crickets began to play their body violins and the lights in the town below illuminated the night.
When the sun completely disappeared, I started the walk back to the parking lot. I contemplated my commune with the sunset. I thought, "Writing is my prayer. It is my way of appreciating moments with God over and over again."
There's so much I love about Los Angeles, and not just because I was born and raised here. But hey, sometimes a city girl needs to leave La-La land to gain some spiritual perspective.
Knowing this to be the truth for myself, I retreated to Ojai, CA with my younger cousin Jana. While I planned to exercise and focus on my spiritual and physical health, Jana planned to simply relax and decompress from the stress of her divorce and the demands of being a mother of four small children.
The Oaks at Ojai, a health resort, allowed us both to experience the ideal weekend. About ninety miles from LA, the name Ojai means nest or moon in the language of the original inhabitants, the Chumash Indians.
We arrived at the Oaks just in time for lunch. We introduced ourselves to our table mates and dines on a sumptuous low calorie meal followed by a fruit dessert.
Knowing this to be the truth for myself, I retreated to Ojai, CA with my younger cousin Jana. While I planned to exercise and focus on my spiritual and physical health, Jana planned to simply relax and decompress from the stress of her divorce and the demands of being a mother of four small children.
The Oaks at Ojai, a health resort, allowed us both to experience the ideal weekend. About ninety miles from LA, the name Ojai means nest or moon in the language of the original inhabitants, the Chumash Indians.
We arrived at the Oaks just in time for lunch. We introduced ourselves to our table mates and dines on a sumptuous low calorie meal followed by a fruit dessert.
I'd warned Jana that the meals were designed to be healthy---salt and refined sugar free. Luckily, she enjoyed the food and was surprised at how tasty it was. I listened intently as Jana described her challenges as a mother, student, and full time employee to others at our table. I got to know her better through the eyes of strangers and I admired who she has grown to become as a woman. After lunch, I wanted to play big sister and show Cousin Jana around one of my favorite towns. We browsed shops at the Arcade, Ojai's much superior version of a strip mall.
Then we walked two blocks up to Soul Centered, a metaphysical book shop which I visit every time I return to Ojai. Although the woman I usually visit with had retired, I was able to meet the owner and introduce Jana to Marilyn, the resident healer. While I experienced a healing session with Marilyn, Jana picked out clever bookmarks with sage advice that resonated with her. Clever bookmarks -- eighty cents each. Sage advice -- priceless.
Next we visited Ojai House where I'd discovered a cute gift for parents with male babies. It's a cap that prevents mommy and daddies' little love from squirting them in the face when they change him. Unaware of the sex of my girlfriend's soon to be born child, I settled on a cute white onesie that read, "To pee or not to pee. That is the question...you know the answer."
On the way back to the spa, we stopped at Rainbow Bridge for a snack. Jana spotted a chocolate peanut butter cup at the register and we happily split one on our walk. It was like we were kids again enjoying a shared snack on a hot, summer day.
That night after dinner, we headed our separate ways to enjoy individual pursuits. Jana opted to attend an evening program on health and nutrition, while I consulted the local newspaper to find out what time the sun set would be. Armed with this information, I drove up to Meditation Mountain to watch Ojai's famous pink moment. When the sun sets over the Topa Topa Mountains in Ojai, a beautiful pink glow appears in the space between the sun and the mountains.
As I walked down to the view point at Meditation Mountain, I noted that there was a quarter moon hanging in the southern part of the sky as the sun created the pink moment in the west. In my mind I greeted a large rock and asked if I could be seated. Twenty two miles away in Ventura County, there was a fire raging that added a light blanket of smoke that clung to the pink glow. I heard loud birds squawking and searched the sky to see where they flew. Suddenly, I spotted them flying in the middle of the sky rather than at the higher altitude into which I'd been gazing. As the sun kissed the mountains, I heard a rooster crow in the distance and a lone dog barking as if they were saying goodbye to the sun.
A couple whispered behind me as they approached the viewpoint, displaying a certain reverence that is only inspired by the most beautiful of sights. They spread a blanket and sat down to meditate as a truck roared below us, crickets began to play their body violins and the lights in the town below illuminated the night.
When the sun completely disappeared, I started the walk back to the parking lot. I contemplated my commune with the sunset. I thought, "Writing is my prayer. It is my way of appreciating moments with God over and over again."